Trying to identify my houseplant

I have had this houseplant for years - it looks similar to marijuana, but isn't. Now it's leaves are turning yellow and I can't seem to stop its decline. I am trying to identify it as a first step to saving it.

30 Jun, 2007

Answers

Difficult to say without a photo but it could be a Fatsia Japonica - there are two reasons why the leaves might turn yellow and drop - If the leaves are soft and wilted then its likely to be overwatering. If leaves are brittle it may be getting too much heat. Hope this helps

Sorry you haven't been able to post a photo yet. Have consulted books and come up with possibility of 'Dizygotheca elegantissima' (Aralia elegantissima) known as a 'Finger Aralia'. As I've on;y seen pictures of marijuana I am only guessing. Good luck with it. Book says it detests soggy compost but drops its leaves if root ball dries out - does not sound an easy plant to keep healthy! Does not like sudden changes in temp either. "If lower leaves fall, cut off stem in speing and stump will grow again" (Also in book)

If you've had it for years - it probably needs repotting and feeding whatever it is, try multipurpose compost and loam mixed 50:50 and feed with a 'vegi' feed ( look on the bottle where it says N P K - you want the N number to be bigger than the others, if/when it flowers use a feed thats got the K number higher) water well - but let it dry out quite well between waterings/feedings. good luck!